Carona to Patrick: I never said you were divorcing. Or gay.

If you can’t wait for the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows,” don’t worry. You can always take in the drama in the Texas Senate.

The Quorum Report scored a scoop highlighting the animosity between Republican Sens. John Carona, of Dallas, and Dan Patrick, of Houston — complete with Patrick accusing Carona of lying about Patrick’s marriage, and Carona not only denying it, but adding that he also didn’t call Patrick gay.

The accusation from Patrick, in part, in an e-mail to fellow senators:

I was in Dallas last week and learned that Senator Carona has told people outside the Senate that Jan and I are separated and may get divorced. He added in a few other negative comments about me in an obvious attempt by him to discredit me for some reason. … There is no excuse or justification for his actions. He could have easily checked the story out to see if it was true. He didn’t care if it was true.

The response from Carona, in part, also in an e-mail to fellow senators:

The email which you blasted to our colleagues and then provided to the media is false and you would have known that had you called or emailed before sending it. …Though I have heard rumors regarding your marital status and sexual preferences for a while now, at no time have I told anyone that you are either separated, divorced, or gay.

Carona went on to blame Patrick’s political ambition for the e-mail.

Carona is a potential candidate for lieutenant governor if Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is elected to the U.S. Senate and senators choose an interim replacement, and also in the 2014 statewide election for the seat. Patrick is a potential lieutenant governor candidate in 2014.

Carona also called Patrick “a snake oil salesman” and “a narcissist that would say anything to draw attention to himself.”

Patrick, in response, suggested that Carona is “at a very dark place in his life for some reason” and said:

“I find Senator Carona’s response repulsive and unbecoming of a Senator. I stand by my statement. … He still owes my wife and my family an apology. Now he owes me an apology for his latest smear, another fabrication by Senator Carona.”

Also weighing in was Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, who said in an e-mail obtained by Quorum Report and addressed to Patrick:

“I’ve talked to several senators recently, including Senator Carona, and the subject never came up. I only wish that you had contacted him when you heard about it, giving him the opportunity to respond.
I simply cannot imagine Senator Carona ever spreading any rumors about anyone….My questions follow: (1.) Who said this to you? Given your earlier email, we have a right to know.
(2.)Why didn’t you contact Senator Carona, instead of accusing him before the entire Senate?